It’s time for the next Greater Greater Washington happy hour! Join fellow readers, contributors, and volunteers this Wednesday, June 27 from 6 to 8 pm in Rosslyn, where you can also check out Arlington’s first parklet.

We’ll be at Heavy Seas Alehouse, located at 1501 Wilson Boulevard at the corner of Wilson and Oak Street. On your way in, check out the parklet next door, which replaces two underused parking spaces with a public gathering space. The Rosslyn Business Improvement District built the parklet in partnership with Arlington County, and it’ll be in place for the next two years.

Heavy Seas is located two blocks from the Rosslyn Metro station (Blue, Orange, and Silver lines) and one block from Metrobus routes 4B, 10B, 38B, and ART route 45. Two Capital Bikeshare stations are located within a few blocks.

This year, we’ve had happy hours and events in Edgewood, H Street, College Park, and U Street. Where should we go next? Let us know in the comments!

Thursday, June 28:

How did we get dedicated funding for Metro?: A year ago, winning dedicated funding for Metro didn’t seem possible. Now, the impossible happened. With funding in hand, how did all three jurisdictions come together and where does Metro go from here?

Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth this Thursday, June 28 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the Georgetown School of Continuing Studies (640 Massachusetts Ave NW) to hear from two expert panels to discuss winning the fight for dedicated funding and what needs to happen now that Metro has the money. The event is free and ASL interpretation will be provided.

Mapping DC in 1822: Curious who lived on your block in 1822? Brian D. Kraft, a DC history expert and director of the Visualizing DC History project, has mapped the 1822 City Directory. Come to hear him present the resulting “story map” at 7 pm at the Hill Center (921 Pennsylvania Ave SE).

Stories to end homelessness: For the third year in a row, local newsrooms are collaborating to investigate the solutions and barriers to end homelessness in the nation’s capital. On Thursday, June 28, you can hear the stories being shared online all day long. In the evening, meet some of the journalists and people behind the stories at 7 pm at Busboys and Poets (1025 5th Street NW).

Tuesday, July 10 and Thursday, July 17:

Prince George's County zoning rewrite: Prince George's County’s proposed zoning ordinance includes new regulations to encourage connectivity between developments for people walking, bicycling, and driving. The county needs to hear from you to make sure that the changes go through. Head to one of two hearing at 14741 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive on July 10 (7 pm) and July 17 (2:30 pm) to testify.

Accessory apartments or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) — think basement or garage apartments — are gaining in popularity all across the country. Thanks to the latest DC Zoning Code update, many DC homeowners can now build their own accessory apartment.

Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth for two different accessory apartment events this week and next. On Tuesday, June 19 we’ll hear from Kol Peterson, national ADU expert and author of Backdoor Revolution - The Definitive Guide to ADU Development, and mingle for a happy hour. The event is at 6:30 pm at Smith Public Trust (3514 12th St NE). RSVP here.

Next Tuesday, June 26, dive deeper into the nitty-gritty of designing and building an accessory apartment at an ADU homeowner workshop. Get hands-on help with your ADU projects and hear from an expert panel. The workshop is at 6 pm at the Menkiti Group training room (3401 8th St NE). RSVP here.

Tuesday, June 19

Bike Hack Night: Get an inside look at all the latest bike hacks at Bike Hack Night IV, a show and tell of bicycle-related apps, data visualizations, and gadgets — anything built with code. Doors open at 6 pm and the program begins at 6:30 pm at the Development Seed in Blagden Alley (20 Blagden Alley NW).]

Juneteenth events: There are a variety of Juneteenth events (a holiday celebrating the abolition of slavery in Texas and the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans more generally) around DC. Check them out!

Thursday, June 21

Changes to the H Street Bridge: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is working on the reconstruction or replacement of the bridge at H Street NE, often known as the “Hopscotch Bridge.” Head over to the community meeting at 6 pm at Northeast Neighborhood Library Meeting Room (330 7th Street NE) to find out more and weigh in on the project.

Saturday, June 23

Fixing congestion on 14th Street NW: Getting through 14th Street NW in Columbia Heights can be hard, especially in a car or on a bus. Head to a DDOT community work session at 10 am at the Rita Bright Family and Youth Center (2500 15th Street NW) with ANCs 1A and 1B to review traffic congestion and brainstorm ideas to improve traffic flow and bus operations.

Bike for the Pike: Bicycling along Columbia Pike can be stressful and unsafe. Take a ride to raise awareness about the biking conditions and the gaps in the county's current plans to make Columbia Pike a Complete Street. The ride will start at 11:30 am at Penrose Square Park (2597 Columbia Pike) and go to the West Pike Food Truck Party near the W&OD Trail.

Save the date

The next GGWash happy hour will be at Heavy Seas Arlington from 6-8 pm on June 27!

Making it easier to get from Columbia Heights to Brookland, bike hack night, how to make Capital Crescent safer, art and taco bike ride, and more in events this week.

Check out the other great events this week:

Monday, June 11

Safer C Street: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) wants to improve safety and connectivity on C Street NE from 22nd Street NE to 14th Street NE, and on North Carolina Avenue NE from 16th Street NE to 14th Street NE. Get an update on the design and weigh in on the project at a public meeting at 6 pm at Rosedale Community Center (1701 Gales Street NE NW).

Tuesday, June 12

Getting across the city from Columbia Heights to Brookland is not particularly safe for people who are biking or walking. The District Department of Transportation wants to change that.

In September 2016, DDOT completed the Crosstown Multimodal Transportation Study from Columbia Heights to Brookland. The study recommended a variety of improvements throughout the corridor to make it safer and faster for biking, walking, and driving including protected bike lanes on Park Place NW, Warder Street NW, 7th Street NW, and 5th Street NW.

Get the latest info on the proposal and weigh in on the project at the next public meeting at 6 pm at the Raymond Recreation Center (3725 10th St).

Wednesday, June 13

Bikes, art, and tacos: Eat some tasty tacos and see some great art on a ride with the Washington Area Bicyclists Association in Arlington! The ride is about five miles and will begin at 6:30 pm at the plaza at the corner of Oak Street & Wilson in Rosslyn. You can secure your spot for $10, but the ride is free for Capital Bikeshare members and WABA members. Helmets are mandatory.

Safety on the Capital Crescent Trail: A bicyclist, Ned Gaylin, died at the intersection of Capital Crescent Trail and Little Falls Parkway — we need a permanent solution. Head over to a community meeting at 7 pm at Somerset Elementary School (5811 Warwick Place) in Chevy Chase to discuss which temporary improvements have worked and which permanent solutions to choose.

Next Tuesday, June 19

Bike Hack Night: Get an inside look at all the latest bike hacks at Bike Hack Night IV, a show and tell of bicycle-related apps, data visualizations, and gadgets — anything built with code. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the program begins at 6:30 pm at the Development Seed in Blagden Alley (20 Blagden Alley NW).

Save the Date

The next GGWash happy hour will be at Heavy Seas Arlington from 6-8 pm on June 27!

Hear about the Monroe Street Bridge reconstruction, learn to compost, explore architecture in Alexandria, bike for a book discussion or bike for sweets, better crosstown travel, and much more in this week's events roundup.

Monday, June 4:

Reconstruction of Monroe Street bridge: Monroe Street bridge in Brookland might be closed as part of an ongoing reconstruction project. Join the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for a public meeting to discuss the proposed temporary full closure of the bridge and give your comments. The meeting will be at 7 pm at Luke C. Moore High School (1001 Monroe St NE).

Friday, June 8

Alexandria Architecture Symposium: The City of Alexandria has a history of evolving architectural heritage. Celebrate that heritage and look to the future during the 2018 Architecture Symposium, where you can fully explore the complexities and challenges of the city's development and design review process and how it affects the architecture of new buildings. This is a two-day event at the US Patent and Trademark Office (600 Dulany Street) starting on Friday at 6 pm and running through Saturday at 1 pm. You can learn more here.

Saturday, June 9

Silver Spring Sweet Bike Ride: Merge two great things — biking and sweets — on a tour of Silver Spring! Join Bike Silver Spring and WABA at 10 am for a casual ride through downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park with stops at several local shops for some delicious sweet treats. Every rider must have a helmet to participate. RSVP here.

Volunteer and learn to compost: Want to learn how to make a compost bin? Join the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) of the University of the District of Columbia for the P.R. Harris Urban Food Hub Build Day. You will have the chance to learn about, build, and beautify the food infrastructure in Ward 8, including constructing compost bins and filling garden beds. The event begins at 9 am at the Urban Food Hub (4600 Livingston Road, SE).

Get the sunrise shot: Want to get the perfect shot of the monuments? Try it at sunrise. Join award-winning landscape photographer Angela B. Pan for a sunrise photo shoot at the Lincoln Memorial (sunrise is at 5:42 am). There will be coffee and donuts!

Safer C Street: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) wants to improve safety and connectivity on C Street NE from 22nd Street NE to 14th Street NE, and on North Carolina Avenue NE from 16th Street NE to 14th Street NE. Get an update on the design and weigh in on the project at a public meeting at 6 pm at Rosedale Community Center (1701 Gales Street NE).

Tuesday, June 12

Let's get better crosstown travel: The District of Columbia has few east-west network connections north of the original L'Enfant Plan street grid. To help alleviate the problem, in September 2016 DDOT completed the Crosstown Multimodal Transportation Study from Columbia Heights to Brookland. It recommended a variety of improvements throughout the corridor to make it safer and faster for biking, walking, and driving. Come get the latest info on the proposal and weigh in at the next public meeting at 6 pm at the Raymond Recreation Center (3725 10th St NW).

Calling all young advocates! Get some sage career advice from long-time advocates at the Coalition for Smarter Growth's next mentoring happy hour.

Whether you're a professional advocate by day or a nights-and-weekends activist, our mentors are sure to have great advice and answers to your questions! Come out to 1831 M St NW at 6:30 this Wednesday, May 30 to participate. You can RSVP here. Tickets are $8.

Wednesday, May 30

The White Flint Better Block project: This project aims to bring together residents, local business owners, parents, teachers, and students of nearby schools, and representatives of civic associations to collectively envision and build temporary public spaces and placemaking activities catering to the surrounding community. Join the kickoff meeting at 6 pm at Randolph Hills Shopping Center, (4840 Boiling Brook Parkway) in Rockville.

New murals by bike: There are a slew of new murals in NoMa thanks to the POW!WOW! Festival. Check them out by bike with the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA). The ride begins at 6:30 pm in front of Union Market (1309 5th St NE). Pre-registration costs $10, but it is free to WABA members, Capital Bikeshare members, and walk-ons.

Thursday, May 31

“Year of the Anacostia” candidate forum: Join Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative (APACC), a coalition of nonprofit organizations focused on the revitalization of the Anacostia River corridor in Wards 7 and 8, for a “Year of the Anacostia”-themed Candidates Forum for the At-Large and Council chair races. The forum is from 5:30 - 9 pm, at Anacostia High School (1601 16th Street SE).

Spin to Silver bike ride: Want to get more comfortable riding in Bethesda? Join WABA for the “Spin to Silver” bike ride through Bethesda. You will get to negotiate the trails, bike lanes, and riding with traffic, and at the end of the exploration, you can enjoy great food, beverages, and company at Silver Restaurant. The ride begins at the Bethesda Metro Station (7450 Wisconsin Avenue) at 6:30 pm.

Monday, June 4:

Reconstruction of Monroe Street bridge: Monroe Street bridge in Brookland might be closed as part of an ongoing reconstruction project. Join the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) for a public meeting to discuss the proposed temporary full closure of the bridge and give your comments. The meeting will be at 7 pm at Luke C. Moore High School (1001 Monroe St NE).

Learn more about the science and technology underpinning the Wharf, head to transportation camp in Baltimore, weigh in on future transit projects in Northern Virginia, see how Montgomery is remaking its suburbs, and more in events this week.

Monday, May 7

A better city for who? A proactive approach to open government can put citizens in the center of operations. To do that, we must focus on outcomes and change the way public employees work — that's what former mayor of Indianapolis Stephen Goldsmith and New York University professor Neil Kleiman describe in their new book A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Government. Hear more about this and how it relates to DC at a panel discussion at 4 pm at The Aspen Institute (2300 N Street NW Suite 700) with Goldsmith, DC Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner, and 11th St. Bridge Park director Scott Kratz.

Science, technology, and the Wharf: As part of Building Safety Month, the second week's theme is “Advancing Resilient Communities Through Science and Technology.” To celebrate this theme, PN Hoffman will discuss how they incorporated science and technology into every aspect of The Wharf, from conception through completion. The event is at 1 pm at the Wharf Dock Master Building (101 District Square SW).

Tuesday, May 8

What are your regional priorities for 2045? The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is planning a series of public forums focused on the seven initiatives that will be highlighted in their Visualize 2045 plan. These seven initiatives include the five that were developed through the TPB's Long-Range Plan Task Force, plus two bicycle and pedestrian initiatives. There are meetings coming up all around the region — find yours and attend! May 8 at 7 pm, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA.

Thursday, May 10

Middle-schoolers' guide to housing: How do planners think about accommodating different kinds of households in Washington, DC? Students in the CityVision program from Kramer Middle School and Stuart-Hobson Middle School researched local demographics and living needs and visited housing examples across the city. Hear their ideas to increase the city’s livability at the showcase at 6 pm at the National Building Museum.

Weigh in on future transit projects in NoVa: The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority recently adopted a long-term wish list of road, transit, bicycle and pedestrian projects totaling about $44 billion. With only around $1.5 billion in funding over the next six years, NVTA has to select and prioritize what can be funded under their Six Year Program, spanning from 2018 to 2023. You have a chance to weigh in! Tell them which projects they should choose at a public hearing at 5:30 pm at the NVTA Offices (3040 Williams Drive, Suite 200) in Fairfax.

Make over Montgomery: Curious how Montgomery County is working to transform the suburbs? Join the Montgomery County Planning Department and National Center for Smart Growth for Makeover Montgomery 4: Competitive, Healthy, Inclusive, and Smart Communities, a three-day conference from May 9 to May 11 in College Park and Silver Spring, MD. It will bring together planners, architects, developers, real estate professionals, economists, social scientists, ecologists, and others to discuss cutting-edge ideas for transforming the suburbs. The conference is paid, but there is a free keynote address by Peter Leyden the night before on May 9 at 7 pm at 3835 Campus Drive, College Park.

History of Barry Farm: Come and learn about the history of Barry Farm, DC’s very first Black neighborhood following the Civil War. Local artists have been working with residents to record their memories and their current fight to keep their home. See their new zine, “We Have Roots in Barry Farm,” at the release party on May 9 from 8-11 pm at the Dew Drop Inn.

Saturday, May 12

White Flint walking tour: Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth to explore White Flint, a rapidly-developing neighborhood that’s making major strides in livability and walkability. Once the home of strip malls and surface parking lots, White Flint is now working to become a model of transit-oriented development, walkable streets, and mixed-use spaces. The tour will begin at 10 am at the White Flint Metro Station. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Transportation Camp in Baltimore:Transportation Camp, a daylong un-conference-style event, brings Baltimore into an international family of cities holding camps every year. It highlights transportation’s impact on every aspect of people’s lives including equity, education, jobs, economic development, recreation, sustainability, and overall access to opportunity. Join the fun at the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business (11 West Mount Royal Avenue). Tickets at $15.

Bakery Brake Bike Ride: Baked treats always taste better after riding your bike. Come ride with WABA and check out two bakeshops in Arlington County. You'll discuss moving from road to trail, find your happy place at the top of some hills and check out some low-stress route options. The ride starts at 9:30 am at The Bake Shop (1025 N. Fillmore Street, Arlington, VA) and will be about 5 miles.

Silver Spring Art Ride: Join WABA for gentle paces bike ride around Silver Spring to learn about some of the public art you see every day. The group will meet at 10 am at Veterans Plaza. Bikers of all ages and skill levels are invited to enjoy this guided tour of Silver Spring public art! The ride will be around five miles, with many stops.

Monday, May 14:

Prince Georges' Zoning rewrite: Prince George’s County is trying hard to link new transit, development, and jobs. But clunky old zoning regulations are holding us back from having the great, walkable, transit-oriented centers that Prince George’s residents like you want and deserve. After four years, the county is in the home stretch of rewriting and modernizing our zoning ordinance and subdivision regulations. If we get the right changes into the rewrite, we’ll set Prince George’s on the right foot for decades to come. Now is the time in the public process that people like you can weigh in with the Prince George's County Council! Attend the first public meeting and weigh in at 7 pm at the Council Administration Building (14741 Gov. Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro).

Your vision for 2045, a chance to meet the Maryland candidates, POW! WOW! mural festival, a bike tour of RFK stadium, and more in events this week.

Tuesday, May 1

What are your regional priorities for 2045? The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is planning a series of public forums focused on the seven initiatives that will be highlighted in their Visualize 2045 plan. These seven initiatives include the five that were developed through the TPB's Long-Range Plan Task Force, plus two bicycle and pedestrian initiatives. There are meetings coming up all around the region — find yours and attend! May 1 at 7 pm, 777 North Capitol Street NE; May 2 at 6:30 pm, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA; May 8 at 7 pm, 3001 Vaden Drive, Fairfax, VA.

Wednesday, May 2

Vision Zero in DC: Curious about how Vision Zero is being implemented in DC? Join Jonathan M. Rogers, policy analyst at the District Department of Transportation, for a talk at National Building Museum from 12:30 - 1:30 pm to hear about the successes, challenges, and plans for the future of Vision Zero. Tickets are $10 for non-members.

Thursday, May 3

Meet the Maryland candidates: The Randolph Civic Association is hosting a public meeting at 8 pm at Veirs Mill Park Activity Building (4425 Garrett Park Road at Beach Drive) with candidates for County Council District 4, County Council At-Large, State District 18 Senate, and State District 18 Delegate races. More than 50 candidates have been contacted and a majority of them plan to attend.

Saturday, May 5

POW! WOW! is back: If you've been to NoMa or biked along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, you've likely seen the murals painted by last years POW! WOW! mural festival. It's back! The kickoff event is at Wunder Garten (1101 First Street Northeast) from 12 pm to 6 pm.

What's new with RFK? Get an on-the-bike view of RFK stadium and the future planned development on a bike ride from 10 am to 12 pm with National Building Museum curator Susan Piedmont-Palladino. She will talk about RFK's current use, planned development, and ideas to improve the Anacostia watershed. Please bring your own bike and helmet. Tickets at $25 for members and $35 for non-members.

Monday, May 7:

A better city for who? A proactive approach to open government can put citizens in the center of operations by focusing on outcomes and changing the way public employees work — that's what former mayor of Indianapolis Stephen Goldsmith and New York University professor Neil Kleiman describe in their new book A New City O/S: The Power of Open, Collaborative, and Distributed Government. Hear more about this and how it relates to DC at a panel discussion at 4 pm at The Aspen Institute (2300 N Street NW Suite 700) with Goldsmith, DC Deputy Mayor Brian Kenner, and 11th St. Bridge Park director Scott Kratz.

]]>Mon, 30 Apr 2018 15:00:00 +0000Claire Jaffe (Contributor)Events: Join us for happy hour and get involved across the regionhttps://ggwash.org/view/67374/events-join-us-for-happy-hour-and-get-involved-across-the-region
https://ggwash.org/view/67374/events-join-us-for-happy-hour-and-get-involved-across-the-region

Our next happy hour is this week! Join fellow readers, contributors, and volunteers on Thursday, April 26 from 6 to 8 pm at Dew Drop Inn, located at 2801 8th Street NE, Washington, DC.

Formerly home to Chocolate City Brewing Company, this bar may be best known for its rooftop deck, which overlooks the Red Line tracks. Hopefully, we'll finally have some spring-like weather so we can take advantage of their transit-oriented outdoor space. RSVP here.

Make sure you check out the other great events this week:

Tuesday, April 24

Want less traffic on I-495 and I-270 in MD? The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is working on a study to reduce congestion on I-495 and I-270. Learn more about the study and weigh in on the options at one of several public meetings this April. The next meeting is at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (4301 East West Highway) at 6:30 pm.

Maryland Governor candidate forum: The Woman’s Democratic Club of Montgomery County is hosting a forum for Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates in the June 26 primary. Contenders Rushern Baker, Ben Jealous, Kevin Kamenetz, Rich Madaleno, Alec Ross, Jim Shea, and Krish Vignarajah have agreed to participate; Washington Post reporter Ovetta Wiggins will moderate. The forum is at 7 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (1 Veterans Place ). Read up on who we think should be elected here.

What are our regional priorities for 2045? The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments is planning a series of public forums focused on the seven initiatives that will be highlighted in their Visualize 2045 plan. These seven initiatives include the five that were developed through the TPB's Long-Range Plan Task Force, plus two bicycle and pedestrian initiatives. There are meetings coming up all around the region — find yours and attend! April 24, 7 pm, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD. April 25 — 7 pm, 101 Monroe Street Rockville, MD. May 1 — 7 pm, 777 North Capitol Street NE.

Wednesday, April 25

Celebrate walkable communities with CSG: It takes persistence and courage to build and advocate for more sustainable, high-quality, walkable, transit-oriented communities. That's why the Coalition for Smarter Growth is honoring Bob Youngentob, one of our region’s leading transit-oriented developers, and community leaders Dan Reed, Margaret Schoap, and Jim Durham for their contributions to smart growth at our annual Livable Communities Leadership Award, CSG’s main fundraiser of the year. The event is at 6:30 pm at TICO Restaurant (1926 14th St NW). Tickets cost $125.

Thursday, April 26:

Safer biking and walking in Dupont: The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is working to improve the street design and walking and biking facilities along Connecticut Avenue, starting on the north side of Dupont Circle and continuing north to California Street NW. Head over to the kickoff public meeting for the initial design phase to get an overview of the project, present existing conditions, share design concepts, and gather community feedback. The meeting is at 6 pm at WeWork Dupont, 3rd floor (1875 Connecticut Ave NW).

What to do after a bike crash: You're riding along on a beautiful sunny day, when a texting driver turns in front of you and knocks you over. Or maybe someone steps off the sidewalk right into your path and down you both go. Do you know what to do next? If not, then you should consider coming to this workshop at 7 pm at the WABA offices (2599 Ontario Rd NW). Bruce Deming, The Bike Lawyer, will review bike laws in the region and talk about what to do if you are ever in a crash.

Celebrate Arbor Day in style: Help celebrate Arbor Day with the tree specialists — Casey Trees! Join them at the Fifth Annual Canopy Awards to celebrate DC's greatest tree heroes with an open bar, food, live music, games, and silent auction. Tickets cost $65 or $75 at the door.

Changing C Street NE: DDOT is working to improve safety and connectivity on C Street NE from 14th Street to 22nd Street NE, and on North Carolina Avenue NE from 14th Street NE to 16th Street NE. Get the latest updates on the plan and weigh in at a public meeting at 6 pm at Rosedale Community Center, 1701 Gales Street NE.

Explore DC's alleys in style: Get a unique view of DC's alleys with EL Studio. Start at EL Studio, hop from spot to spot, then come back to the studio and let us know your thoughts. Three locations are highlighted on this short self-guided tour: Marion Street, the Yale Steam Alley, and their own Naylor Court. Food and drinks will be served!

Saturday, April 28:

Crystal City walking tour: Just across the Potomac River, Crystal City is making a name for itself as a destination for art and culture, recreation, and great public spaces. Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth for their first tour of the season to get an in-depth look at all the latest changes, new developments, and new transit projects in the works. We’ll talk about the Metroway extension, a new VRE station with a direct walking route to National Airport, and the idea of making Route 1 into a boulevard. The tour begins at 10 am at the Crystal City Metro. RSVP is requested.

Meet up with WABA: Drop by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association office to meet friendly bike advocates working to support DC's upcoming bike projects. This is a great chance to ask a question or get involved with groups already working to support projects like the Crosstown Irving St. protected bike lanes, the NoMa bicycle network, and more. RSVP here.

Real estate trends conference: If you are a ULI member, join the real estate industry's most influential professionals from across the Greater Washington region at the ULI Washington Real Estate Trends Conference from 8:30 am to 6 pm at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center (1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). Spend the day learning about the real estate and land use trends in the Washington region and meet the people who make the industry so robust. The theme for this year’s conference is Transformational Change: Communities at the Crossroads. RSVP here.

Learn to live zero waste: Are you feeling like your environmental footprint could use adjustment? Living zero waste is easier than it seems. Hear from best-selling author Bea Johnson as she shares her tribulations and secrets to achieving Zero Waste and the importance of the 5R's (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot) from 6 to 8:30 pm at the University of the District of Columbia (4200 Connecticut Avenue NW). There is a fee for this event.

BRT in Fairfax (multiple meeting times): The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) is working on a project to bring bus rapid transit to Richmond Highway and North Kings Highway from Huntington Metrorail Station to Fort Belvoir. Learn more about the project and weigh in at one of two public meetings this week — April 17 at 6:30 pm at West Potomac High School Cafeteria (6500 Quander Road, Alexandria) or April 18 at 6:30 pm at Mount Vernon High School Cafeteria (8515 Old Mt Vernon Road, Alexandria).

Traffic reduction in Maryland (multiple meeting times): There is a lot of traffic on I-495 and I-270 in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is working on a traffic relief plan to reduce congestion. Attend one of four public open houses in April to weigh in on the plan. The first three are this week: April 17 at Dr. Henry Wise Jr. High School (12650 Book Lane, Upper Marlboro), April 18 at Clarksburg High School (22500 Wims Road, Clarksburg) and April 19 at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (4301 East West Highway, Bethesda). All meetings run from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Wednesday, April 18

District Sustainability Awards: Our city has lots to celebrate when it comes to sustainability, and the District Sustainability Awards are the place to get recognized. Attend this year's event to see who will be honored and hear the Mayor speak. The award ceremony will run from 5: 30 to 7:30 pm at Eastern Market, North Hall (225 7th Street, SE)

Ride and smell the flowers: Whether spring means it's time to clean, tighten the strings on your tennis racket, or lube up your bike chain, there's no denying that it also means awesome tulip displays! Join the Washington Area Bicyclists Association for a social ride throughout Crystal City and the neighborhoods along the river. Along the way, we'll stop and admire beautiful tulips. Free for WABA members, $10 for non-members.

Thursday, April 19

Lessons learned from Tysons: Tysons Corner will soon get a new development called Dominion Square West (CARS). Join the Tysons Partnership for an in-depth discussion on the collaborative process behind the signature development and discuss placemaking, creative collaborations on public-private space, and lessons learned. The event is from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at 1785 Greensboro Station, Suite 100 Tysons. It costs a fee to attend.

Coming soon

Wednesday, April 25 — Celebrate walkable communities with CSG: It takes persistence and courage to build and advocate for more sustainable, high-quality, walkable, transit-oriented communities. That's why the Coalition for Smarter Growth is honoring Bob Youngentob, one of our region’s leading transit-oriented developers, and community leaders Dan Reed, Margaret Schoap, and Jim Durham for their contributions to smart growth at our annual Livable Communities Leadership Award, CSG’s main fundraiser of the year. The event is at 6:30 pm at TICO Restaurant (1926 14th St NW). There is a fee for this event.

Thursday, April 26 — GGWash happy hour: Join fellow readers, contributors, and volunteers for a happy hour on Thursday, April 26 from 6 to 8 pm at Dew Drop Inn, located at 2801 8th Street NE, Washington, DC. Formerly home to Chocolate City Brewing Company, this bar may be best known for its rooftop deck, which overlooks the Red Line tracks. Hopefully, we'll finally have some spring-like weather so we can take advantage of their transit-oriented outdoor space. RSVP here.

Join fellow readers, contributors, and volunteers for a happy hour on Thursday, April 26 from 6 to 8 pm at Dew Drop Inn, located at 2801 8th Street NE, Washington, DC.

Formerly home to Chocolate City Brewing Company, this bar may be best known for its rooftop deck, which overlooks the Red Line tracks. Hopefully, we'll finally have some spring-like weather so we can take advantage of their transit-oriented outdoor space. RSVP here.

The Dew Drop Inn is located between the Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland-CUA Metro stations. From Rhode Island Avenue, the bar is about a half-mile up the Metropolitan Branch Trail, just past Franklin Street. From Brookland, it’s six blocks south of the station along 8th Street. If you’re coming by bus, the Metrobus D8, G8, and H8 all stop within two blocks, while several other routes stop at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro. There’s also a Capital Bikeshare station three blocks away at 7th and Hamlin Streets NE.

Check out these other great events:

Tuesday, April 10

Bridge connection in Palisades: In the Palisades in DC, there is a pedestrian bridge that connects a trail over Arizona Avenue. Curious about the redesign? Attend the public meeting at 7 pm at Palisades Neighborhood Library (4901 V St NW) to learn more.

Connecting the WB&A trail: Prince George's County is taking a big step towards extending the WB&A (Washington, Baltimore & Annapolis) Trail on MLK Highway (MD-704). Come learn about the study, give input, and make sure the trail designs are as good as they can be at the next public meeting at 7 pm at Woodmore Town Centre Community Room (Woodmore Centre Drive) in Glenarden.

Wednesday, April 11:

Backyard apartments in Prince George's County: Right now in Prince George’s County, it’s basically illegal to build and rent out new backyard cottages or accessory apartments (such as a basement unit or a converted garage). Changing those rules and allowing more accessory apartments could provide extra income for homeowners who are struggling to make ends meet. It also creates more flexible and affordable housing in the region. There's a chance to legalize these kinds of homes through the county's Comprehensive Housing Strategy, which is under development right now. Attend a public meeting at 6:30 pm at Laurel High School (8000 Cherry Lane) to learn more and tell the county that you want this changed.

Photos and sounds from the 80s: From 1984 to 1994, photographer Michael Horsley wandered the streets of Washington, DC photographing the unseen and vanishing moments of the city. Hear from Horsley at the April DC Music Salon, where they will go beyond sound and investigate Horsley's images, including photos from right after the civil unrest in 1968. The event is at 7 pm at the Shaw Library (1630 7th St NW).

Plans for federal public space: The National Capital Planning Commission, the group that manages planning for federal land in DC, recently released draft updates to the Parks & Open Space Element, which establishes policies to protect and enhance the District's many federal parks and open spaces. Learn more about the policy and weigh in at the next open house at 6 pm at the National Capital Planning Commission (401 9th Street NW, Suite 500). Public comment is open until May 7. If you can't attend on this date, another open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at 10:30 am.

Get in touch with nature: With Earth Day around the corner, it's a great time to learn about local nonprofits that are helping the environment. Attend this month's Mappy Hour where they will be teaming up with Rock Creek Conservancy and other local nonprofits to spotlight ways to give back to the natural places we love. The event is at 6:30 pm at Benjamin's on Franklin, In Tastemakers (2800 10th St NE).

Saturday, April 14

Mapping segregation in Bloomingdale: Historian Sarah Shoenfeld, co-director of PrologueDC, will lead a “Mapping Segregation” walking tour of DC’s Bloomingdale neighborhood to look at how racially-restrictive deed covenants kept much of this neighborhood off-limits to African Americans until the 1940s. The tour will start at 10:45 am the small park across from Big Bear Café at First and R Streets NW and will take 1.5 to 2 hours. Please arrive prior to 10:45 am.

Looking back at the 1968 riots: With 2018 marking the 50th anniversary of the civil unrest in DC, join an in-depth conversation about DC’s social and political landscape. Panelists will illuminate the personal narratives of black Washingtonians, contextualize the riots that engulfed parts of the city, and consider how the events of 1968 had a long-lasting impact on the nation’s capital. The event is at 2 pm at Hill Center DC (921 Pennsylvania Avenue SE).

We've got some great events for you this week! Get the latest on accessory apartments in DC, dive deeper into the conversation on Planned Units Developments, get a second chance to attend a Bus Rapid Transit open house in Montgomery County, and advocate for our environment through transit.

Today, Monday, April 2

Dive into ADUs: Accessory apartments, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are now allowed in DC. They are a great way to add housing in busy cities. Discover the challenges and opportunities of building an accessory apartment at an event at the National Building Museum with Harriet Tregoning (moderator), Cheryl Cort, Policy Director of Coalition for Smarter Growth, M. Jennifer Harty, AIA, architect, and Aakash Thakkar, ADU homeowner. The event is from 6:30 to 8 pm and costs $12 for members, $10 for students, and $20 for non-members. RSVP here.

Tuesday, April 3

PUDs, essential or endangered?Planned Unit Developments, which are required when someone seeks a zoning change to their property before construction, have become a contentious part of our discussion around housing in DC. Learn more about the issue at “Planned Unit Developments in the District of Columbia: Essential or Endangered?” a panel discussion with Leila Batties of Holland & Knight; Peter May of the DC Zoning Commission; Ellen McCarthy, former Director, DC Office of Planning, and moderator Peter Byrne, Baumgartner Professor of Real Property, Georgetown Law. The event will be at Georgetown University Law Center, room 200 (600 New Jersey Avenue NW) at 2 pm.

Bus rapid transit open houses (rescheduled): Montgomery County is wrapping up the preliminary design phase of the US-29 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. Get information on how BRT will operate along the corridor, how existing local bus service can better link with the US-29 BRT, efforts to incorporate art into station designs, and updates to the station area designs including approximate right-of-way needs at two open houses that were rescheduled. The meetings are on Tuesday at 7 pm at Blair High School (51 University Blvd E) or on Wednesday at 6:30 pm at White Oak Community Center (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring).

Wednesday, April 4

More transit, cleaner environment: This June, Northern Virginia will decide how to spend $1.5 billion in transportation funds. We need to make sure the funds go to transit so we can conserve land, reduce energy use, mitigate our impact on the environment, and provide mobility. You can help make sure that happens! Learn how to get involved at a Sierra Club event “Transportation and a Clean Environment” at 7 pm at Providence District Office and Community Center (3001 Vaden Dr) in Fairfax. The event walking distance from Vienna Metro.

Are you a big fan of the red Capital Bikeshare bikes? Come connect with other CaBi lovers at the first CaBi Connection!

Join the fun by testing your CaBi knowledge with trivia, enjoying some free snacks, and make sure you bring a friend to introduce to CaBi as well. The event is at Lost Dog Cafe's Columbia Pike location (2920 Columbia Pike) on Tuesday, March 27, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

Check out these other great events too:

Monday, March 26

The closer, the better: “Within Walking Distance,” the latest book from Philip Langdon, looks at how buildings connect to the public realm. In particular, he looks at bicycling, public transportation, and incorporation of nature and parks into city or town life. Want to hear from the author himself? Head to an evening lecture and networking event with Philip Langdon at 6 pm at the National Press Club, 13th Floor, 529 14th St NW.

Saturday, March 31

A critical trail connection: The Washington Baltimore & Annapolis Trail (WB&A) in Central Prince George’s County is a great trail and linear park that stretches almost seven miles from the Patuxent River to Annapolis Road. But it's not connected to any other trails. WABA wants to fix that, and you can help. Join WABA staff, trail lovers, neighbors and advocates to kick off a campaign to extend the WB&A towards DC along Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. The event is from 11 am - 12:30 pm at Glenarden Library (8724 Glenarden Pkwy) in Glenarden.

Next Monday, April 2

Diving into ADUs: Accessory apartments, also known as accessory dwelling units (ADUs), are now allowed in DC. They a great way to add housing in busy cities. Discover the challenges and opportunities of building an accessory apartment at an event at the National Building Museum with Harriet Tregoning (moderator), Cheryl Cort, Policy Director of Coalition for Smarter Growth, M. Jennifer Harty, AIA, architect, and Aakash Thakkar, ADU homeowner. The event is from 6:30 to 8 pm and costs $12 for members, $10 for students, and $20 for non-members. RSVP here.

Join the newest bicycling advocacy group, W3BA, for their kickoff meeting on Thursday, March 22 at 6:30 pm at the Tenleytown Library (4450 Wisconsin Ave NW). Mike Goodno of the District Department of Transportation will discuss the current and future state of bike lanes in Ward 3, and there will be plenty of chances for discussion.

Check out these other great events this week:

Tuesday, March 20

Bus rapid transit open house: Montgomery County is wrapping up the preliminary design phase of the US-29 BRT project. Attend one of two remaining open house meetings in March to get information on how BRT will operate along the corridor, how existing local bus service can better link with the US-29 BRT, efforts to incorporate art into station designs, and updates to the station area designs including approximate right-of-way needs. The meetings are on Tuesday at 6:30 pm at White Oak Community Center (1700 April Lane, Silver Spring) and Wednesday at 7 pm at Blair High School (51 University Blvd E, Silver Spring).

Wednesday, March 21

11th Street Bridge and Anacostia Watershed: 11th Street Bridge Park is an old freeway bridge being transformed into DC's first elevated park across the Anacostia River. Join Montgomery County Parks and Planning for a lunch session from 12:30-2:30 pm at 8787 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring. 11th Street Bridge Park Director Scott Kratz and Anacostia Watershed Society Director of River Restoration Programs Ariel Trahan will discuss the park, and recreation and restoration of the Anacostia River.

Help enhance federal open space: The National Capital Planning Commission recently released the draft updates to the Parks & Open Space Element, a document that establishes policies to protect and enhance the federal parks and open spaces in the Washington region. It's open for public review and comment period until Monday, May 7. Learn more about the update at an open house at 6 pm at National Capital Planning Commission (401 9th Street, NW, Suite 500).

New bridge over Arizona Avenue NW: The District Department of Transportation is working to reconstruct a 110-foot-long walking bridge over Arizona Avenue NW to improve the connecting trail from Galena Place NW to the Sherier Place/Nebraska Avenue NW in the Palisades. Come to the meeting to weigh in on the project at 6:30 pm at the Palisades Public Library Second Floor Meeting Room (4901 V Street NW) at 6:30 pm.

Thursday, March 22

Union Station expansion: Union Station is planning an expansion to grow and modernize, support more rail and transit service, and integrate with the community. Currently, they are working on the environmental impact statement. Come to the next public meeting about the project to learn more about the next steps of the project. There will be an open house from 4-8 pm and formal presentations at 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm at Washington Union Station’s Presidential Room (East Hall) at 50 Massachusetts Avenue NE.

County Executive candidate forum: Curious about all the people running for County Executive in Maryland? The Woman’s Democratic Club of Montgomery County, MD is hosting a forum for all six County Executive Democratic Candidates — Roger Berliner, David Blair, Marc Elrich, Bill Frick, Rose Krasnow, and George Leventhal. Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart will moderate. The forum will begin promptly at 7 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center, 1 Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD.

Next Monday, March 26:

The closer, the better: “Within Walking Distance,” the latest book from Philip Langdon, looks at how buildings connect to the public realm. In particular, he looks at bicycling, public transportation, and incorporation of nature and parks into city or town life. Want to hear from the author himself? Head to an evening lecture and networking event with Philip Langdon at 6 pm at the National Press Club, 13th Floor, 529 14th St NW.

Got questions about the DC Comprehensive Plan? Get some answers: For almost two years now, GGWash has been writing about and organizing around the DC Comprehensive Plan. The Comp Plan influences whether we will have enough homes and affordable homes for everyone…or not. The Office of Planning recently released its first batch of amendments, and the DC Council will hold a public hearing on those changes on March 20. Have questions about the plan? Get answers during the last GGWash call this week. RSVP to get the call-in information. Can you testify with us on the 20th? Click here for more information and to sign up!

A new development plan in Maryland: Maryland is updating their overall development plan, A Better Maryland, which will establish Maryland’s goals and objectives for growing responsibly, protecting resources, supporting existing communities, and creating quality places. Attend a listening session at 7:30 pm at the Department’s headquarters (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring) where state officials will hear from residents about the best way to update the plan.

Tuesday, March 13

Ward 3 happy hour with CSG: Ward 3 is the place to be on March 13! Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth and Ward3Vision for a happy hour to chat about the latest developments, the most recent news about DC's Comprehensive Plan update, streetscape projects, a new bike advocacy group, and more. The happy hour is at the Abbey at St. Arnold’s Mussel Bar (3433 Connecticut Ave NW) in Cleveland Park from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. See you there.

Is WMATA “Back to Good”?: WMATA says it is working hard to get the system “back to good.” But is it really happening? Hear from Stephen Repetski, James Pizzurro, Rail Transit OPS Group, and moderator Martin Di Caro on the topic at the next Action Committee for Transit monthly meeting at 7:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Pl).

Your rights as a tenant or housing provider: Understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or housing provider can be challenging, particularly when you have to decipher various rules and regulations. Get answers at an event with the Housing Regulation Administration (HRA) of the DC Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) from 10 am to 12 pm at 1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE.

Building bird-friendly design: Curious how you can build with the best bird-friendly design in mind? The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE), along with its partners City Wildlife, American Bird Conservancy, and AIA-DC, invites you to attend a workshop on bird-safe building design from 5:45 pm to 8 pm at District Architecture Center (421 7th Street NW).

Thursday, March 15

The future of mobility in the DC region: For the 10.2 million of us who call the Capital Region of Baltimore, Washington, and Richmond home, transportation issues shape our daily life. For the region’s employers, it affects our ability to recruit and retain talent, and maintain a productive workforce. What can we learn from the leaders who are shaping the transportation landscape throughout the country? Join the Greater Washington Partnership and Building America’s Future for a dialogue with experts who are shaping the future of mobility. RSVP is required.

Vision Zero Summit: Want to know the best ways for policymakers, advocates, experts, and implementers to explore systemic ways to end traffic fatalities? Head the Vision Zero Summit, a daylong forum at the Milken Institute School of Public Health (950 New Hampshire Avenue NW) featuring plenary speakers DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and CityFi Founder Gabe Klein, as well as expert panelists on subjects that include: ensuring equitable outcomes for vulnerable users and communities, traffic injuries as a public health issue, societal costs of traffic crashes, streamlining data collection and making it publicly available, and opportunities for cross-jurisdictional regional collaboration.

Bus rapid transit open house: Montgomery County is wrapping up the preliminary design phase of the US 29 BRT project. Attend one of three Open House meetings in March with information on how BRT will operate along the corridor, how existing local bus service can better link with the US 29 BRT, efforts to incorporate art into station designs, and updates to the station area designs including approximate right-of-way needs. The first is this Thursday at 6:30 pm at Silver Spring Civic Center (1 Veterans Plaza).

Washington DC is ripe with opportunities for new low-stress bike routes, safer streets, and people-friendly policies. But we need more than good ideas and numbers on our side to get them approved and implemented. It takes people power. You can help!

If you are passionate about making DC a better place to bike, join advocates from across the city and WABA’s staff this Thursday, March 8 from 6 to 8:30 PM at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library (3160 16th St NW) to get motivated and organized. RSVP here.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, March 5, 6, 7: Rain garden plants capture 30 percent more water than a regular lawn and filters that water into the ground. Curious how to make one? Learn how to install rain gardens at one of three clinics this week from 9 AM to 4 PM at Union Temple Baptist Church (1225 W Street SE). Participants should bring drinking water and come in work clothes, as they may get dirty. You may come at any time during the working hours.

Thursday, March 8 and Monday, March 12: For almost two years now, GGWash has been writing about and organizing around the DC Comprehensive Plan. The Comp Plan influences whether we will have enough homes and affordable homes for everyone…or not. The Office of Planning recently released its first batch of amendments, and the DC Council will hold a public hearing on those changes on March 20. Have questions about the plan? Get answers during two GGWash calls this week and next. RSVP to get the call-in information.

Wednesday, February 28: Join the Montgomery County Planning Department for the third and final part of their Winter Speaker Series, “The Economic Future of the Suburbs: Infill, Commerce, Placemaking.” The final session focuses on placemaking and will feature Ethan Kent, Senior Vice President of Project for Public Spaces (PPS) in New York City, who has traveled to more than 800 cities and 55 countries to advance the cause of placemaking and public spaces. The session will be held in the Planning Department auditorium (8787 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD) from 6 to 7:30 pm.

Friday, March 2: Are you a student, intern, or young professionals with an interest in urban planning or related field? This is the event for you! Join the Sustainable Urban Planning Student Organization (SUPSO) at The George Washington University for a networking happy hour at Bar Deco (717 6th St NW) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

As part of the District Department of Transportation's (DDOT) moveDC plan, the agency is taking a closer look at safety and accessibility of 14th Street NW from Thomas Circle to Florida Avenue NW.

Attend the next public meeting on Thursday, February 22 at 6:30 pm at the National City Christian Church (Community Room), 5 Thomas Circle NW to share your ideas on how to make 14th Street a more friendly environment for people walking, bicycling, and otherwise moving around on 14th Street NW.

See what other great events are coming up this week.

Tuesday, February 20: JUMP Bikes, one of the new dockless bikeshare companies, is standing out of the crowd with electric-assist pedaling and a built-in bike lock. Have you gotten a chance to try one? Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG) and JUMP Bikes for a happy hour at 6:30 pm at Bar Roubaix (1400 Irving St NW), DC's newest bicycling-themed bar, to meet the JUMP Bikes team, mingle with the CSG team and fellow smart growth supporters, and test out one of JUMP's bright coral electric assist bikes! RSVP here.

Thursday, February 22: DC updated their comprehensive plan by using creative placemaking, the intentional use of arts and culture to engage diverse communities in shaping their physical, social and economic future. Learn more about the update from speakers Sakina Khan and Joshua Silver of the DC Office of Planning at Crossing the Street: Building DC’s Inclusive Future through Creative Placemaking, a talk from 1 pm to 2 pm at the Montgomery County Planning Department Auditorium (8787 Georgia Ave) in Silver Spring.

Tuesday, February 13: With five new dockless bikeshare systems joining Capital Bikeshare in DC, CaBi Hack Night is officially renamed Bikeshare Hack Night! Come out to the next meetup for a show and tell of apps and data visualizations about any of DC's bikesharing systems. Bikeshare Hack Night VII will be backstage at the Black Cat (1811 14th St NW ). Doors open at 6:30 pm, with speakers starting at 7 pm.

Tuesday, February 13: The DC region needs more “missing middle” housing for families making about $60-90,000, or 80-120 percent of the Area Median Income. To learn more about the “missing middle,” head to the next Action Committee for Transit meeting with Pamela Lindstrom, former land use chair of Montgomery County Sierra Club. The event starts at 7:30 pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center (One Veterans Pl, Silver Spring).

Thursday, February 15: A new book, “Suburban Remix: Creating the Next Generation of Urban Places,” discusses ways that suburbs can evolve and thrive by investing in the design methods and approaches focused on a more human-scale, feel, and form. The book features excerpts from several other Washingtion region planners and advocates. Hear from planner Jason Beske, planner/urban designer David Dixon, and others at a book talk at 11:30 am at the National Building Museum. This is a paid event.

Next Tuesday, February 20: JUMP Bikes, one of the new dockless bikeshare companies, is standing out of the crowd with electric-assist pedaling and a built-in bike lock. Have you gotten a chance to try one? Join the Coalition for Smarter Growth and JUMP Bikes for a happy hour at 6:30 pm at Bar Roubaix (1400 Irving St NW), DC's newest bicycling-themed bar, to meet the JUMP Bikes team, mingle with the CSG team and fellow smart growth supporters, and test out one of JUMP's bright coral electric assist bikes! RSVP here.

Want to hear from DC's at-large candidates? This is your chance. On Tuesday, February 6, head to the Woman's National Democratic Club for a candidate forum for District-wide Council candidates in the Democratic Primary. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the program will begin promptly at 6:30, wrapping up at 8:30.

At-large Council candidates confirmed to attend: Councilmember Anita Bonds, Marcus Goodwin, Aaron Holmes, and Jeremiah Lowery. Council Chair candidates confirmed to attend: Ed Lazere and Chairman Phil Mendelson. The event is likely to sell out, but a livestream will also be available.

*Don't miss it!* GGWash happy hour this Tuesday, February 6: GGWash is returning to Prince George's County for our February happy hour. Meet our staff, volunteers, readers, and more at MilkBoy ArtHouse, located at 7416 Baltimore Avenue next to the University of Maryland, from 6 pm to 8 pm. Come out and meet a few of the confirmed elected leaders and candidates, including mayor of College Park Patrick Wojahn, mayor of Hyattsville and candidate for District 2 Councilmember Candace Hollingsworth, District 2 Councilmember Deni Taveras, former Congresswoman and candidate for County Executive Donna Edwards, candidate for At-Large Council Gerron Levi, and candidate for County Executive Paul Monteiro. RSVP here.

Tuesday, February 6: If you are concerned about the issue of homelessness in our neighborhood and around the District, here’s your chance to learn more and meet your neighbors who want to help do something about it. ANC 2B (Dupont Circle) is hosting a town hall where service providers and representatives from the District’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the US Park Police will provide an overview of the current unhoused population, respond to questions from the audience, and provide resources to help address this issue in concrete and tangible ways. The event is from 7 pm to 8:45 pm at the Keegan Theater, 1742 Church Street NW.

Friday, February 9: Curious how long the light is for folks crossing Rockville Pike at Bou Avenue on foot? Find out, celebrate National Bagels & Lox Day, and raise awareness for safer walking in Rockville with Action Committee for Transit from 6:30 am to 7:30 am. See you there!

Next Tuesday, February 13: With five new dockless bikeshare systems joining Capital Bikeshare in DC, CaBi Hack Night is officially renamed Bikeshare Hack Night! Come out to the next meetup for a show & tell of apps and data visualizations about any of DC's bikesharing systems. Bikeshare Hack Night VII will be backstage at the Black Cat (1811 14th St NW ). Doors open at 6:30 pm, with speakers starting at 7 pm.

GGWash is returning to Prince George's County for our February happy hour. Meet our staff, volunteers, readers, and more at MilkBoy ArtHouse, located at 7416 Baltimore Avenue next to the University of Maryland. Originally founded in Philadelphia, MilkBoy is a restaurant, bar, and performance space that's a key part of efforts to make College Park more of a college town.

Bonus: Local officials want to talk about zoning too! Come out and meet these confirmed elected leaders and candidates:

Mayor of College Park Patrick Wojahn

Mayor of Hyattsville and Candidate for District 2 Councilmember Candace Hollingsworth

District 2 Councilmember Deni Taveras

Former Congresswoman and Candidate for County Executive Donna Edwards

Candidate for At-Large Council Gerron Levi

Candidate for County Executive Paul Monteiro

To get there, you can take the Green line to the College Park-U of Md Metro station, which is a 13-minute walk away. Metrobus routes 83 and 86 and The Bus route 17 stop one block away at Baltimore Avenue and Knox Road, and the C2, C8, F6, and J4 stop on the University of Maryland campus a 10-minute walk away. If you're a member of mBike, College Park's bikesharing system, there's a dock across the street. RSVP here.

See you there! Don't miss these other great events:

*Don't miss it!* Tuesday, January 30is “Pressing on — Will Local Journalism in DC Survive?” DC has long been home to much stronger local journalism than many cities. Over the past decade, even as local news has declined nationally, Washington's media outlets have focused on local news and commentary — but what is the future of local journalism in the Washington region? Join Mark Ein, Washington City Paper's new owner, Washingtonian's Michael Schaffer, and a panel of local journalists and editors to dig into these questions and more. Space is limited, so get your ticket today! The event will be held at 7 pm at WeWork White House (1440 G Street NW).

Thursday, February 1: The Montgomery County Planning Board is working on the MARC Rail Communities Plan, which looks at the land use, zoning, design and access conditions at the MARC stations in Boyds and Germantown. The discussion at the last meeting in December 2017 resulted in changes to the maps and timetables. Come give feedback on the changes at the next meeting at BlackRock Center for the Arts (12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown) at 7 pm.